Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire are showing off InterHome at Microsoft Imagine Cup taking place right now. The modular home automation project has a lot of neat elements that meld X10 integration, motion sensors, mobile technology, and Web support to convert your home into a comfortable secure space for its occupants.

It may look like a doll house now, but it has the potential to save households in the UK up to £300 a year in energy costs. This is because the system ‘learns’ from its occupants’ routines and can detect patterns, like when you leave the house. If you forget to turn off the lights, for instance, InterHome can send an SMS alert, which you can reply to and instruct the system to take action.

[via Engadget]